Excerpt: ...the proje ct is inconsistent with the City's Municipal Code and General Plan, that the City violated the Housing Accountability Act (Gov. Code § 65589.5, or “HAA”), and that the City violated the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq., “CEQA”). CAMPAD's Petition for Writ of Mandate and Declaratory Relief is denied. I. Background This consolidated matter involves a proposed development project at a pr...

Excerpt: ...�) Motion To Compel Plaintiff Vincent Garrett's claims to binding arbitration and stay the stay the state court proceedings pending arbitration. The Motion relates to Plaintiff's Complaint for (1) Violations of the Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Civil Code § 1750; (2) V iolation of the Automobile Sales Finance Act, Civil Code § 2981; (3) Violation of Penal Code § 496; (4) Fraud and Deceit; (5) Negligent Misrepresentation; (6) Violation of the R...

Excerpt: ...Cal.4th 919, 924, fn. 1.) General Allegations of the Complaint The Complaint in this matter alleges causes of action for negligence, premises liability, and wrongful death. On February 12, 2022, Llaneth Chavez and her daughter Malya Goyal visited Malya's father – De fendant Charu Goyal – at his home located at 16 E. Ridge Court in Danville (the “Property”). (¶2 -4.) It is alleged that the Property had a swimming pool. (¶5.) The swimming...

Excerpt: ... notify th e Court and opposing counsel by 4:00 p.m. on the date of this posting, April 24. In short, the Court now rules: • Although there is a question about the report being read by Judge Campins, there is no broader prohibition on the Court generally (a differen t Judge) seeing and reviewing the report. • The District Attorney's office, however, may not see the report, at least not at this point. • The Court can and should review the re...

Excerpt: ... intesta te. The Petition seeks an order confirming that one half of the Decedent's 2.2582% separate property ownership interest in Countrywood Shopping Center Associates (which the Decedent received through an inheritance from his father's trust) be confirmed to Petitioner as her intestate share of this asset (see Prob. Code § 6401(c)(2)). Respondent objected to the Petition on January 19, 2024 (the “Objection”). The Objection alleges tha...

Excerpt: ... locations . Plaintiff is a former nonexempt employee of defendants, though her job description and employment dates are not provided. The original complaint was filed on March 3, 2021. Several amendments were made, one of which (in September 2022) added PAGA claims. The settlement would create a gross settlement fund of $625,000. The class representative payment SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 12 JUDICI...

Excerpt: ... granted, the administrator has mailed notices to 120 class members. No packets were returned by the post office, and there are thus no nondeliverable notices. One additional person came forward and, after inquiry, was determined to be a class member as well. No o bjections or requests to opt out have been received. The motions are granted. E. Background and Settlement Terms Defendant is in the home warranty business. Plaintiff worked there as a ...

Excerpt: ...laintiff als o moves for approval of his attorney's fees, litigation costs, administration costs, and representative payments. The motion is granted. A. Background of the Case and Terms of Settlement This a PAGA case (not a class action), alleging violations of the Lab or Code. The allegations have been revised by amendments, but as framed in the second amended complaint they center principally on untimely payment of wages. This case was first �...

Excerpt: ...emurrer is otherwise overruled. The Dis trict shall file and serve its answer by May 9, 2024. In addition, as discussed below, the matter is set for June 5, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. (the next CMC date) for an order to show cause why the complaint should not be dismissed for the inappropriate attempted representation of a trust by a non-attorney. Background and Allegations Plaintiff is one of the trustees of the Jordan Family Trust, which owns real prop...

Excerpt: ...ion for inverse condemnation . Defendant moves pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure (“CCP”) § 437c for summary adjudication of Top Solutions inverse condemnation claim on the grounds that Top Solutions cannot establish that SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 27 JUDICIAL OFFICER: TERRI MOCKLER HEARING DATE: 04/24/2024 the service lateral serving a single residential property is a public project. For the f...

Excerpt: ...s for Judicial Notice are granted. (Cal. Evid. Code § 452 (d).) For the following reasons, Defendant's Demurrer is sustained. Allegations of Cross -Complaint This matter concerns damages claims related to a flooding event that took place in January 2023 at or near the intersection of Byron Highway and Camino Diablo in Contra Costa County. The First Amended Cross -Complaint (“FACC”) alleges two causes of action against Contra Costa County: (...

Excerpt: ...ground In the operative second amended complaint ("SAC"), Plaintiffs allege a single cause of action for breach of fiduciary duty defendant Jordan Yudien. (Second Am. Comp. ("2AC") 3rd C/A, ¶¶ 36 -47.) Yudien represented defendants Jerry Kilarr, now deceased, and Co nstance Kilarr in litigation with Plaintiffs the Menascos in James Kenneth Menasco, et al. v. Jerry Kilarr, et al., Contra Costa Superior 16 Court Case No. MSC16 -0...

Excerpt: ...0 north of El Cerro Boulevard in Alamo, California on February 23, 2018. (UMF 1 -2.) The accident occurred at approximately 10:00 p.m. (UMF 1.) While attempting to change lanes, Mr. Cruz collided with Plaintiff Francie Lacey -G ra n t 's vehicle. (UMF 2.) Defendant Luis C ruz was operating a pickup truck owned by his employer – Defendant Gesick Concrete, Inc. (“Gesick Concrete”) (UMF 4.) Mr. Cruz was driving the vehicle within the course an...

Excerpt: ...tion Defendant seeks summary adjudi cation as to seven separate issues related to causes of action two through six, eight through nine, and the prayer for punitive damages. For the following reasons, the MSA is granted -in -part and denied -in -part. The MSA is denied as to of Employee as Indepe ndent Contractor; (2) Failure to Indemnify and Reimburse Employees; (3) Failure to Pay Overtime Compensation; (4) Failure to Furnish Timely, Accurate and...

Excerpt: ...#34; or "Moving Parties"). For the reasons set forth, the motion is granted as to all claims other that Plaintiff's "non- individual" PAGA claims, addressed below, the class claims are dismissed, and the action is stayed pending completion of the arbitration. A case manag ement conference shall be set for 8:30 a.m. on December 10, 2024, to review the status of the case and the arbitration. Background Plaintiff Iliana Reyes all...

Excerpt: ...ation t hat he was retained by defendant on June 27, 2023. Defendant counsel left a message for Plaintiff and faxed a letter to Plaintiff on July 11, 2023. Defense counsel heard nothing from Plaintiff until he received a copy of the request for default in the mail around August 21, 2023. On August 22, 2023, Defendant attempted to file an answer that was rejected by the court because default had been entered. Defendant moves to set aside the defa...

Excerpt: ...l of th e party's intention to contest, specifying the issues to be contested. As stated in last week's tentative ruling, however, even if there is no contest, counsel are to appear (Zoom okay) to discuss scheduling and the future course of this case. The Court va cated last Friday's scheduled Issue Conference/Mandatory Settlement Conference in light of its not having decided this motion yet. Moreover, the Court predicted last week that the prese...

Excerpt: ...for atto rney's fees pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1021.5. Under section 1021.5, a court may award fees “to a successful party … in any action which has resulted in the enforcement of an important right affecting the public interest if: (a) a signifi cant benefit, whether pecuniary or nonpecuniary, has been conferred on the general public or a large class of persons; and (b) the necessity and financial burden of private enfor...

Excerpt: ..., CON TRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 27 JUDICIAL OFFICER: TERRI MOCKLER HEARING DATE: 04/17/2024 The plaintiff filed this action for negligence on February 27, 2023, alleging injuries caused by an unleashed dog in Calistoga, California on June 2 1, 2021. The defendants propounded Form Interrogatories Set One, Special Interrogatories Set One, and Request for Production of Documents Set one on April 11, 2023, with responses due May 13, 2...

Excerpt: ... to th is evidence prior to a ruling on the motion. Plaintiff shall file and serve a response to this evidence, not exceeding five (5) double -spaced pages, by April 23, 2024. Background While walking for exercise, plaintiff Felicia Sonnier fell and sustained sev ere injuries on May 24, 2020. (Separate Statement of Undisputed Material Facts, hereinafter “SSUMF,” Fact Nos. 1 and 3, and plaintiff's responses.) The City contends the location o...

Excerpt: ...URT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA C OSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 27 JUDICIAL OFFICER: TERRI MOCKLER HEARING DATE: 04/17/2024 liability. Only the first and fourth causes of action are alleged against Defendant City of Oakley. Defendant demurs to Plaintiff's first cause of action p ursuant to Code of Civil Procedure (“CCP”) § 430.10(e) on the grounds that Plaintiff's general negligence cause of action against the City is improper and the Cour...

Excerpt: ...laint Plaintiff Emeziem & Others is a law firm that represented seven individuals – Melondy Spears, Candace Spears, Kela Spears, Olajuwon Spears, Shante Ray Jackson, LaShanda Ray, and Latondiwe Hasty (collectively, the “Beneficiaries”), in a Wills and Trust case filed in Contra Costa County (Case no. P21 -00824). (¶ 10.) The matter pertained to a Trust established by the parents/grandparents of the Beneficiaries – Willie L. Spears St...

Excerpt: ...ining c laims. Plaintiffs may amend their complaint to include a wrongful foreclosure cause of action at a later date should it become necessary. WFB shall answer the FAC no later than April 29, 2024. The Complaint This case arises out of the claim of plaintiffs Steven V. Schnier and Ana Maria D. Schnier that defendant Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (WFB) moved forward with foreclosing on plaintiffs' residence despite their application for a loan modifi...

Excerpt: ...t moved to intervene in t he action as of the date of the hearing or within seven days of the date of the hearing, the Court will appoint a guardian ad litem for Plaintiff under Code of Civil Procedure sections 372 and 373(c) as set forth below. Background In the SAC, Plaintiff Chl oe Lauren Zebrach alleges a single cause of action for negligence against Monte Nido, a residential care facility. (SAC ¶ 2.) Plaintiff was diagnosed with bi -polar d...

Excerpt: .... (Second Am . Comp. (“SAC”) 1st C/A, ¶¶ 1-30.) Kilarr was previously a party to litigation with Plaintiffs the Menascos, specifically the case James Kenneth Menasco, et al. v. Jerry Kilarr, et al., Contra Costa Superior Court Case No. MSC16 -01460 (the "Prior Litigatio n"). The Prior Litigation was resolved by settlement. This lawsuit arises out of the settlement and other events related to the Prior Litigation. 21 After this acti...

Excerpt: ...y judgment direc ted toward the first amended complaint. Procedural Background Plaintiff filed his Complaint on November 10, 2021. Defendant Oakwood Athletic Club, LLC (“Oakwood”) filed its Answer on January 26, 2022. Thereafter, Defendant filed its MSJ on May 5, 2023. T he MSJ was set for hearing on August 17, 2023. On July 17, 2023, the Court continued the hearing 24 25 until November 16, 2023. On November 9, 2023, the Court continued t...

Excerpt: ...care), and add additional allegations regarding certain loan distributions. Defendant Albert D. Seeno Jr. opposes the motion on several grounds including legal futility and inexcusable delay. For the following reasons, the motion is granted. The First Amended Complaint is deemed filed as of April 15, 2024. Plaintiff is directed to electronically file a new copy of the Second Amended Complaint by April 19, 2024. Analysis A trial court has discre...

Excerpt: ... 2023 she, as tenant, entered into a written agreement with defendant Starwood Enterprises, LLC (Starwood), as landlord, to rent the premises located at 1907 Hoffman Boulevard in Richmond. SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMEN T 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 04/12/2024 (Complaint, ¶ 9.) Plaintiff alleges the premises suffers from substantial habitability defects, including “rodents/ins...

Excerpt: ...ment a nd settlement agreement on the grounds that “the judgment was entered into in the absence of a trial on the merits and as the result of fraud in the inducement, surprise, mistake, inadvertence and excusable neglect and as to the fraudulent acts of Defendan t, including tax evasion, serving to void the transaction based upon the extrinsic fraud of the Defendants.” The Court has carefully reviewed the papers submitted by Plaintiff in sup...

Excerpt: ...e agreed u pon SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 04/12/2024 forum. For the reasons set forth, the motion is granted as to Plaintiff's second, third, fourth, and sevent h cause of actions asserted against Defendant Garda, and the sixth cause of action against Defendants Garda and Poppy Bank in the FAC; further, this action shall be stayed pending the outc...

Excerpt: ...injur ed while skating at a skatepark owned by the City on February 5, 2021. Plaintiff was born in 1987 and thus, was over 12 years old when the accident occurred. (Roark depo. 6:17 -18.) The City is a public entity and owns and maintains the skatepark. (Helfenbe rger ¶2.) The skatepark has a bowl structure for people to skate. (Helfenberger ¶3.) In the center of the lowest part of the bowl is a drain. (Helfenberger ¶3.) According to the City'...

Excerpt: ...ENT 18 JUDICI AL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 04/12/2024 their first amended complaint is granted but the Court does not "deem" the first amended complaint filed. Rather, Plaintiffs shall file their First Amended Complaint with the Court and serve the amended pleading on Defendant's counsel by April 22, 2024 Background This case involves a dispute between parents and their daughter/step - daughter over the parties'...

Excerpt: ...does, review document s in its own file without the need for taking judicial notice thereof. Factual Allegations This matter generally relates to issues arising from the construction and sale of real property located at 2030 Hoover Avenue in Pleasant Hill (the “Property”). The Sellers of the Property purchased the Property and performed improvements thereon, which were completed by March 2018. (¶ 16.) On or about March 7, 2018, Plaintiffs p...

Excerpt: ..., administr ation costs, and representative payment. The motion is granted. A. Background of the Case and Terms of Settlement The total settlement payment is $275,000. Out of this is to come attorney's fees of $91,667 (one -third of the recovery); $22,305 in litigation costs, and $3,950 in costs to the settlement Administrator. The This a PAGA case (not a class action), alleging a variety of violations of the Labor Code concerning failure to prov...

Excerpt: ...e defenses. For the following reasons, Plaintiff's Demurrer to Defendants First, Second, Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Affirmative Defense is overruled, and Plaintiff's Demurrer to Defendant's Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Eleventh and Fifteenth Affirmative Defense is sustained, with leave to amend as to all but the fifteenth affirmative defense. Legal Standard Code of Civil Procedure § 430.20(a) provides for...

Excerpt: ...May 10 in which to file and serve a second amended complaint, if they choose to. In the event that they elect not to amend, defendants Puri and Compass are given to June 7 in which to answer the surviving contract count of the complaint. (If there is no amendment there will remain no claim pending against defendant Mehringer. There will also remain no live claim being asserted by plaintiff Kandola.) The Court further observes that although it is...

Excerpt: ...E: 04/11/ 2024 23 A. Background and Settlement Terms Defendant is in the business of providing extended vehicle service programs and ancillary finance and insurance products. This class -action case arises from its alleged former practice of recording consumer pho ne calls, made on cellular or wireless phones, without proper consent or notification. Plaintiff made two such calls in October and November 2022. The original complaint was filed on...

Excerpt: ...or concer ts and similar events. Plaintiffs state that they were employed in non -exempt positions, though their job descriptions and employment dates are not provided. Plaintiff King filed her original complaint as a PAGA case on March 7,2023. She filed a parallel c lass action on May 15, 2023. The class action was amended in December to combine the two cases and to add plaintiff Hill. The settlement would create a gross settlement fund of $80...

Excerpt: ...ote") secured by a deed of trust on Plaintiffs' single - family residence located at 1452 Club View Drive in El Cerrito. (First Amended Complaint (with errata) ("FAC") ¶¶ 1, 4, 12 -15; P. Pan Decl. Exh. C [deed of trust].) Defendants Peter Pan and Jenny Pan (the "Pans" fo r convenience) are the lenders under the Note. On March 22, 2022, the Pans issued a Notice Pursuant to California Civil Code § 2966 ("Section 2966...

Excerpt: ...parties have made , given that there have been both multiple “settlement agreements” entered into since the original one, and multiple recitations to the Court of unresolved issues requiring further negotiation and agreement. The motion before the Court purports to say that the settlement to be enforced is the one that was “agreed to at the Mediation conducted in this matter on October 15, 1998 in front of Mediator Hon. Mark Eaton”. That ...

Excerpt: ...her verified responses to Form Interrogatory 17.1 and for sanctions on January 3, 2024. No opposition has been filed to the motion. The motion to compel and request for sanctions is granted for the reasons set forth below. The plaintiff, Niyogi Linzie, filed this action on November 17, 2021, alleging premises liability and damages for injuries sustained when she tripped and fell in the parking lot at the Willows shopping center in Concord, Cal...

Excerpt: ...tion of FEHA; (3) Retaliation in Violation of FEHA; (4) Failure to Prevent Discrimination, Retaliation, and Harassment in Violation of FEHA; (5) Negligent Hiring and Retention; (6) Constructive Discharge in Violation of Public Policy; (7) Failure to Pay Overtime; (8) Failure to Provide Accurate Wage Statements; and (9) Waiting Time Penalties. Plaintiff argues that the FAA applies to the 2017 Employment Agreement because the Supremacy Clause prohi...

Excerpt: ...form of judgment, separate from any order on the motion, for submission to the Court. I. Background According to the complaint filed by plaintiffs Pedro Gomez III and Brianda Gomez (collectively plaintiffs and individually referred to by first name for convenience only, no disrespect intended), on or about November 2, 2019, Pedro fell and sustained severe injuries. At the time, he was working on scaffolding at the Phillips 66 Rodeo Refinery. T...

Excerpt: ...eet his burden in opposition to raise a triable issue of fact. Background Plaintiff Klaus Kubler dba Klaus Kubler Construction (Kubler or plaintiff) filed this action for breach of a construction contract filed on April 27, 2022. Plaintiff alleges he is a licen sed general contractor and in July 2017 entered into a written home improvement contract with defendants James Knight and Paige Tomaselli (defendants), for the construction of improvemen...

Excerpt: ... for leave to amend Code of Civil Procedure § 473(a)(1) provides the Court discretion to permit a party to amend its pleadings. There is “a policy of great liberality in permitting amendments to the complaint at any stage of the proceedings, up to and including tria l [citations]…” (Magpali v. Farmers Group (1996) 48 Cal.App.4th 471, 487.) Leave to amend can be denied where there is “‘inexcusable delay and probable prejudice to the opp...

Excerpt: ... cognizable claims against Reyes. Defendant's motion to strike punitive damages allegations is granted with leave to amend. Plaintiffs shall have until April 29, 2024 to file and serve a first amended complaint. If plaintiffs cannot amend their punitive damages claim again st Reyes within the time stated, they may move to amend the complaint at a later time. The Complaint Plaintiffs Pamela Cooper and Carl Kelly filed their complaint on May 10,...

Excerpt: ...d Proced ural Background On January 2, 2024 Plaintiff Matthew Andrade filed this action against his employer, Defendant Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District and Chris Petlock (whom the Complaint describes as an administrator of Pleasant Hill). The First Amended Complaint alleges age discrimination and harassment toward Plaintiff among other claims. On January 16, 2024, Defendants filed a special motion to strike allegations from the FAC rel...

Excerpt: ...rty damages and personal injuries as to defendants Asghar, as well as references in the complaint to hospital/medical expenses, general damages, and references to injuries to her person on the basis that the complaint states that the personal injury claim relate d to the impact has been settled. Defendants also move to strike requests for attorneys fees and costs since plaintiff alleges no statutory authority for such an award. The motion to stri...

Excerpt: ...poses the motion to compel but agrees to produce a privilege log. The court denies the motion to compel and the request for sanctions but does order plaintiff to serve a privilege log by close of business on May 3, 2024. The plaintiff filed this action for bre ach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. Plaintiff is a pharmacist and she entered into an agreement with defendant Jeff Morgridge to run a pharmacy in Moraga. The defendants, allege...

Excerpt: ...e, but in which Judge Devine granted defendant's motion to designate plaintiff as a vexatious litigant. The present suit is not technically barred by that prefiling- screening order due to the overlapping timing; this suit was filed while the vexatious -litigant moti on was pending, but before it was granted. Nevertheless, this suit appears clearly to constitute a continuation of the same abusive litigation misconduct that caused Judge Devine t...

Excerpt: ...remaining counts. Plaintiff alleges that she was rear -ended in a traffic accident by defendant Renee Thomas. Ms. Thomas said she was calling the Brentwood police, but the officer who actually showed up was a CHP officer who falsely identified himself as Officer Spe ars. Plaintiff alleges that in fact “Officer Spears” was Officer Donnie Thomas, Renee Thomas's husband. Officer Thomas engaged in various investigative steps such as taking plain...

Excerpt: ...nd amended cros s-complaint by April 19, 2024. This is a lawsuit between two former cohabitants, previously involved romantically and otherwise with each other; the female plaintiff is substantially younger than the male defendant. The male party has filed a first amende d cross-complaint against the female. This is her demurrer to his FAXC. The Court had previously sustained a demurrer to the original cross -complaint. The grounds for that rul...

Excerpt: ...age in viol ation of Labor Code § 1194(a), and the fourth cause of action for failure to provide timely paystubs in violation of Labor Code § 226(e). Plaintiff's MSA is granted as to the fourth cause of action. As to the first cause of action, the motion is continued to April 11, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. for consideration of a supplemental and corrective submission by plaintiff as to the damages calculations. Request for Judicial Notice In support of...

Excerpt: ...tions. F or that reason the Court does not view this as cause for recusal. Plaintiff Nicole Paris moves for preliminary approval of her class action and PAGA settlement with defendant Allergy & Asthma Medical Group of the Bay Area, Inc.. The motion is granted. A. Background and Settlement Terms Defendant is a medical group treating patients in the specialty of allergies. Plaintiff was employed as a non -exempt employee, though her dates of employ...

Excerpt: ...t by Denh am, LLC, Nikta, LLC, and Manning- NextBay Venture, LLC, and against the City of Richmond, is denied. Background In 2017, after the voters of Richmond passed the Richmond Hills Initiative, which limited development of Petitioners' property. (AR, Den2_00107. ) Petitioners filed a lawsuit, Case No. MSN170669, challenging the adoption of the Initiative (hereinafter “Denham I”). After finding that the City's general plan was inconsiste...

Excerpt: ...eged breach of confidential data. The proposed settlement terms involve an array of offered curative steps rather than the more typical cash payments. And, refreshingly, the items usually to be deducted from the gross settlement amount (such as attorney's fees, administrative costs, and representative payments) are being funded directly by the defendant outside of the settlement fund. A. Background , Subject Matter, and Course of Proceedings Cli...

Excerpt: ...oyed ther e as nurses – two of them from 2016 to 2020, though the third plaintiff's dates are not provided. The original complaint was filed on October 1, 2021 as a class action. Plaintiff Hudson separately filed a PAGA action on the previous day. The parties stipul ated to consolidate the actions. The settlement would create a gross settlement fund of $3,000,000. The class representative payments to the plaintiffs would be $10,000 each. Atto...

Excerpt: ...nfident ial legal and business analyses that would jeopardize plaintiffs' rights in this contractual dispute between plaintiffs, as tenants, and defendant, as the landlord. For the reasons laid out below, the motion is denied. Background This motion is in the c ontext of a Second Amended Complaint (SAC) alleging three causes of action: 1) declaratory relief; 2) reformation of contract for mistake, fraud and in equitable conduct; and 3) reformati...

Excerpt: ... acility. Ms. Lily was a resident at defendant Sunrise Senior Facility as a memory care patient from 2/12/21 to 4/1/22. She developed a severe case of decubitus while in the facility and this condition ultimately led to her death. Plaintiffs filed a wrong ful death, elder abuse, and negligence action in September 2022. Presently, plaintiffs have filed seven separate motions to compel. For the reasons stated below, all seven motions are denied. ...

Excerpt: ...Counsel for plaintiff agreed to file supplemental responses. Plaintiff's counsel did serve supplemental responses on the defense on December 22, 2023. Plaintiff's counsel was served with this motion to compel on December 28, 2023. Defense counsel concede s in an email dated January 19, 2024, that the amended responses “satisfy her” and states she will file a declaration with the court to this effect. As of March 15, 2024, no such declaratio...

Excerpt: ...s of ac tion. SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 27 JUDICIAL OFFICER: TERRI MOCKLER HEARING DATE: 03/27/2024 Defendant's Request for Judicial Notice is granted. (Evid. Code § 452(c).) Defendant's Demurrer is sustained in part and overruled in part. Allegations in the Complaint In April 2020, Plaintiff 3150 Garrity Way DE, LLC entered into a written Emergency Occupancy Agreement (“Agreement”) with the Co...

Excerpt: ...ate a cause of action and on uncertainty. (See, Defendant's points and authorities p.2.) In addition, Plaintiffs filed a substantive opposition. The Court will excuse the failure to file a demurrer because the points and authorities state the basis for the demurrer. S till, the section referencing Code of Civil Procedure section 430.10 states that Defendant is challenging the complaint, not specific causes of action. Thus, if there is any vali...

Excerpt: ... Implie d Contract, Breach of Written Contract, and Unfair Competition causes of action on the basis that they are uncertain and fail to state a claim. (Demurrer p. 2: 5 -13.) For the following reasons, the Demurrer is sustained with leave to amend. 16 Meet and Confer Requirement Defendant satisfied its meet and confer requirement regarding their demurrer in detailing their meet and confer efforts with Plaintiff in the Declaration of Jason Julia...

Excerpt: ...r the fol lowing reasons Construction West's petition to vacate is denied. Construction West's petition to correct is denied. One Nine's petition to confirm the arbitration award is granted. Factual Background On February 21, 2021, PLAINTIFF submitted a proposal a nd was awarded a contract (“Contract”) as a general contractor for the construction of a car wash located on the commercial properly commonly referred to as 1755 Market Street, Con...

Excerpt: ... barred by the applicable statute of limitations is subject to a general demurrer for failure to state of cause of action. (SLPR, L.L.C. v. San Diego Unified Port Dist. (2020) 49 Cal.App.5th 284, 306.) A demurrer may be sustained based upon the statute of limitations only when the facts alleged in the complaint or matters which the judge took judicial notice clearly establish that the cause of action is barred. (Mitchell v. State of Dep't of Pub...

Excerpt: ...relevant h istory of this action, Plaintiff filed his complaint on October 7, 2020 alleging causes of action against Defendants Vinnie's Bar & Grill and David Marcos Perez for (1) battery, (2) false imprisonment, (3) negligent hiring, retention and supervision, (4) n egligence and (5) violation of the Bane Act (Civ. Code § 52.1). At the first Case Management Conference (CMC) on February 24, 2021, Plaintiff's counsel did not appear, and an Orde...

Excerpt: ...of contract (against Gomez), (2) misappropriation of trade secrets, (3) conversion, (4) unjust enrichment, (5) breach of fiduciary duty (against Gomez), (6) aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty (against Gold Star), (7) intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, (8) breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing (against Gomez), and (9) unfair business practice (against Gold Star). Gomez seeks summary adjudication a...

Excerpt: ...o s ustain serious injuries. According to her declaration in support of this motion, after she fell she was taken to the emergency department of Kaiser in Walnut Creek. She was diagnosed with zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures and orbital floor fractures, along with bruising to her right shoulder, shattered teeth, a concussion and neck pain. She continues to have problems related to the injuries. These include face numbness; painful mouth, te...

Excerpt: ...pondent” or “DMV”) order of suspension. For the following reasons, Petitioner's Writ of Mandate denied. Petitioner's request for payment of attorney's fees pursuant to Government Code §800 is also denied. Factual Background On September 6, 2022, CHP Officer Fuller observe d a Mercedes Benz travelling at a high rate of speed travelling northbound on I -680. (Administrative Record (AR), p. 0018.) Officer Fuller visually estimated that the ca...

Excerpt: ...ges, the facts alleged must show fraud, oppression or malice. (Civil Code section 3294.) Subdivision (c) of the statute contains the following definitions: “(1) 'Malice' means conduct which is intended by the defendant to cause injury to the plaintiff or despicable conduct which is carried on by the defendant with a willful and conscious disregard of the rights or safety of others. [P] (2) 'Oppression' means despicable conduct ...

Excerpt: ...endants' a ctions in the negligence cause of action; (2) the request for repayment of attorney fees paid to Defendant during the underlying representation in the Prayer; (3) the request for “attorney's fees pursuant to Civil Code sections 52, 52.4(a) and any other a pplicable statute,” in the Prayer; and (4) Paragraph 19, which reads: Defendant Wiener did not provide response to Jane Doe's Request to know if the attorney holds liability insur...

Excerpt: ...l Back ground According to the complaint filed by plaintiffs Pedro Gomez III and Brianda Gomez (collectively plaintiffs and individually referred to by first name for convenience only, no disrespect intended), on or about November 2, 2019, Pedro fell and sustaine d severe injuries. At the time, he was working on scaffolding at the Phillips 66 Rodeo Refinery. The scaffolding was allegedly negligently and improperly designed, constructed, assemb...

Excerpt: ...024 a ny factual allegations that could cure the defects in this cause of action, leave to amend is not granted. County's notice of motion was defective because it requests judgment on the pleadings as to the first cause of action for negligence and as to a non -existent fourth cause of action for “negligent hiring, retention and/or supervision.” County argues the Court should excuse the defect and dispose of all causes of action against it ...

Excerpt: ...Evalua tion of the parties' allocation of settlement proceeds is committed to the sound discretion of the trial court in the good faith settlement approval process. The court may rely on its own expertise and the opinions of experts in reaching a determination of the good or bad faith of a settlement. However, the court may not be able to do more than simply make a best estimate, and any challenge to the agreement's assigned value should ...

Excerpt: ...defaul t was entered on August 21, 2023. On September18, 2023, Defendant filed her motion to set aside. Defense counsel states in his declaration that he was retained by defendant on June 27, 2023. Defendant counsel left a message for Plaintiff and faxed a lette r to Plaintiff on July 11, 2023. Defense counsel heard nothing from Plaintiff until he received a copy of the request for default in the mail around August 21, 2023. On August 22, 2023, ...

Excerpt: ... of motion to strike the whole or any part of the pleading. (Code Civ. Proc. (“CCP”) § 435(b)(1); Cal. Rules of Court, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 03/15/2024 Rule 3.1322(b).) The court may, upon a motion or at any time in its discretion and upon terms it deems proper: (1) strike out any irrelevant, false, or improper matter inserted in any ple...

Excerpt: ... causes of action for 1) prof essional medical negligence and 2) loss of consortium. Defendants' Request for Judicial Notice of Plaintiffs' Complaint is granted. As discussed herein, the SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DAN IELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 03/15/2024 Court overrules Plaintiffs' objections to the Declaration of Cynthia Goodman, MD and sustains in part Defendants' objection...

Excerpt: ... 15, 2023 as a class action. PAGA claims were added by amendment on June 2. The settlement would create a gross settlement fund of $220,000. The class representative payment to the plaintiff would be $7,000. Attorney's fees would be $73,333 (one -third of the settlement). Litigation costs would not exceed $15,000. The settlement administrator's costs are estimated at $8,000. PAGA penalties would be $30,000, resulting in a payment of $22,500 to th...

Excerpt: ... resolved in t heir favor, it was the operative catalyst in securing the relief petitioners sought, namely the termination of the Tree Removal Agreement (TRA) between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the City of Lafayette. Although petitioners' present motion does not limit itself to seeking an award against only PG&E (rather than the City), only PG&E has filed an opposition. The Court would have welcomed the City's input on the issu...

Excerpt: ...mended complaint (FAC), namely count 3 (covenant of quiet enjoyment), count 4 (intentional infliction of emotional distress), and count 6 (covenant of good faith and fair dealing). The demurrer is sustained without leave to amend. FPI is given 21 days in which to a nswer the remaining causes of action against it. If plaintiff contests this tentative ruling to seek leave to amend, he should attend the hearing prepared to discuss in detail what am...

Excerpt: ...violation of the California family rights act; (7) failure to provide meal & rest periods; (8) failure to provide overtime wages; (9) unfair business practices; (10) retaliation and wrongful termination in violation of public policy; and (11) intentional infliction of emotional distress. Defendant demurs to Plaintiff's causes of action for (1) disability harassment and (11) intentional infliction of emotional distress pursuant to Code of Civil ...

Excerpt: ...UPERIOR CO URT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 27 JUDICIAL OFFICER: TERRI MOCKLER HEARING DATE: 03/13/2024 from Plaintiff Region Bank's predecessor in interest. Plaintiff now moves for summary adjudication as to its first cause of acti on for breach of the promissory note by Defendant Susan Hyde. Standard Summary adjudication is proper if all the papers submitted show that there is no triable issue as to any material f...

Excerpt: ...pecialis ts over the years, she has undergone MRIs, Xrays, CT scans, and physical therapy. She has been deposed and she attended a physical examination by a defense retained expert on March 25, 2021. Plaintiff's medical records, disclosed to the defense long ago, r eflect on-going neck and disc issues. At her deposition on December 10, 2020, she testified she had on- going problems with her neck and discs. At the defense- requested medical exam...

Excerpt: ...uisance. Defenda nts' Demurrer is sustained with leave to amend as detailed below. Plaintiff's counsel is ordered to appear whether or not Plaintiff contests this tentative ruling. Order to Show Cause Before getting into the merits of the Motion, the Court must address th e conduct of Plaintiff's Counsel – Mr. Ilan Janfaza - during these early stages of this matter. This motion was originally set for hearing on February 7, 2024. The Court conti...

Excerpt: ...aratory relief. Only th e first and third causes of action are alleged against the Kristons. For the following reasons, the motion for summary judgment is granted. Legal Standard Code of Civil Procedure (“CCP”) §§ 437c(o)(1) and 437c(p)(2) provide the relevant legal standard for deciding the MSJ. Section 437c(o)(1) provides, in relevant part: A cause of action has no merit if one or more of the elements of the cause of action cannot be sep...

Excerpt: ...Plaintiff Jaime Gonzalez Santiago alleges he was injured on June 9, 2022, while working for Defendant Georgia Langsam's horse breeding facility. SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 27 JUDICIAL OFFICER: TERRI MOCKLER HEARING DATE: 0 3/13/2024 On June 7, 2023, Plaintiff filed an Application for Adjudication with the WCAB alleging injury on June 9, 2022, resulting from his employment with Defendant. On August 2...

Excerpt: ...onsumer W arranty Act, Civil Code § 1791, et seq., fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. (MTS p. 2: 3 -5.) 2. The claim for violation of the Magnusson -Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2301, et seq., fails to state facts sufficient to consti tute a cause of action. (MTS p. 2: 6 -8.) 3. The claim for breach of express warranty under California Commercial Code, Cal. Com. Code § 2103, et seq., fails to state facts suffici...

Excerpt: ...n June 2022, Kruse filed this lawsuit seeking $308,642 for unpaid work. A first amended complaint was filed in November 2022. Thompson Builders filed this motion to compel arbitration on December 21, 2023. “ ‘ “ ‘[T]he threshold question presented by a petition to compel arbitration is whether there is an agreement to arbitrate.' ” ' [Citations.] … This initial issue also reflects the very plain principle that you cannot compel i...

Excerpt: ...met their i nitial burden to show entitlement to judgment as a matter of law, the City of Pittsburg has also shown triable issues of material fact exist that preclude summary judgment, as discussed below. Factual Background Plaintiffs entered into a written “License Agreement” with the City of Pittsburg (“City”) on August 19, 2019, pursuant to which the City would provide the location for an ice rink and plaintiffs would install and opera...

Excerpt: ...r summary judgment on the negligence cause of action on the grounds that the uncontroverted expert testimony shows that plaintiff cannot establish a prima facie case of professional negligence or causation. For the following reasons, the MSJ is denied. Legal Standard Code of C ivil Procedure (“CCP”) §§ 437c(o)(1) and 437c(p)(2) provide the relevant legal standard for deciding the MSJ. Section 437c(o)(1) provides, in relevant part: A cause o...

Excerpt: ...Relief; and (8) Unjust Enrichment. Defendant demurrers to each cause of action on the basis that the Complaint fails to state facts sufficient to support any of the alleged causes of action. Defendant's demurrer is overruled for the reasons set forth below. Fac tual Allegations This matter pertains to claims made by Plaintiff Raymond Lee against his former caregiver, Defendant Marniee Fabiola Sjolander. Plaintiff alleges that he was misled by Def...

Excerpt: ...”) §473( b). Code of Civil Procedure 473(b) provides, in relevant part: The court may, upon any terms as may be just, relieve a party or his or her legal representative from a judgment, dismissal, order, or other proceeding taken against him or her through his or her mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect. Application for this relief shall be accompanied by a copy of the answer or other pleading proposed to be filed therein, ot...

Excerpt: ...olye r purchased the Property with Defendants Gershon Luria and Irit Sanger Luria in 2011. At some point in time, the Parties' relationship devolved and Plaintiffs decided they did not want to continue to co -own the Property with Defendants. Plaintiffs filed t heir initial Verified Complaint for Partition of Real Property on March 7, 2016. On March 25, 2016, Defendants filed a separate action (MSC16 -00579) which involved issues related to th...

Excerpt: ...y, Western Surety Company for (1) breach of contract, (2) intentional misrepresentation, (3) false promise, (4) negligent misrepresentation, (5) accounting and refund, and (6) enforcement of contractor's license bond. Defendants Red Door, Zhobin Safdari, and Cynthia Safdari move to compel arbitration of Plaintiffs' claims and stay the action pending arbitration. Plaintiffs oppose the motion. For the following reasons, the motion is granted. Reque...

Excerpt: ... motion, though without separate argument or exposition. Plaintiff's opposition raises no points or arguments that would apply only to Amazon, nor does it make any arguments (aside from the filing date) as to why a ruling in EVLO's favor should not also apply to Am azon. Accordingly, the motion is granted for Amazon as well. Factual Background EVLO was a delivery service based in San Jose that began doing business on or about August 17, 2018, an...

Excerpt: ...reekside") al leges it is the owner of an apartment complex in El Cerrito known as Creekside Walk Apartments (the "Project"). (Def. Sep. Stmt. ("SS") of Undisputed Material Facts ("UMFs") No. 2.) Creekside has filed two lawsuits concerning alleged construction defects a t the Project, one against the general contractor (which the parties and the SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT...

Excerpt: ...rom a Go ogle search it appears that it operates a restaurant in Brentwood. Plaintiff alleges that she worked at defendant in a non- exempt hourly job, though her job duties and dates of employment are not identified. The original complaint was filed on May 15, 2023 as a class action. There are no PAGA claims and the case is being settled on a class action basis. The settlement would create a gross settlement fund of $172,500. The class represe...

Excerpt: ...iff worke d for defendant as a customer service representative between April and November 2019. The original complaint was filed on March 26, 2021 as a class action. It was amended to add a PAGA claim, and further amended again. The settlement would create a gross settlement fund of $910,000. The class representative payment to the plaintiff would be $7,500. Attorney's fees would be $303,333 (one -third of the settlement). Litigation costs would...

Excerpt: ...ed Co mplaint (“SAC”). Factual Allegations and Background This matter pertains to issues arising from the purchase and sale of real property located at 205 Glorietta Boulevard in Orinda, California (the “Property”). Plaintiffs purchased the Property in August 2021. Escrow closed in October 2021. Defendant Filo Real Estate, Inc. dba Realty One Group Complete (“Realty One”) served as Plaintiffs' real estate agent and broker for the tran...

Excerpt: ...at M arina Bay Community Association. Factual and Procedural Background: Plaintiff filed her complaint in this matter on February 10, 2022. The Complaint identifies the Parties as neighbors, with Defendants Long Nguyen and Tran Ta (“Defendants”) living in the condominium located directly above Plaintiff's. Both properties are located in the Shores at Marina Bay Community Association (“Shores HOA”) and are subject to its Covenants, Condi...